The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season hit a new, desperate low in a 26-7 home beat down courtesy of the Buffalo Bills, dropping the team’s record to 6-6 and making Mike Tomlin’s first losing season appear almost an inevitability. The frustration in Acrisure boiled over in the fourth quarter with the unusual and troubling sounds of “Fire Tomlin” chants.
This felt less like a football game and more like a collapse, marked by the team’s inability to execute the basic tenets of winning football. The defeat was a brutal affirmation of the issues previously raised by the team’s own quarterback, who questioned the squad’s preparation and focus and a direct indictment of the coaching staff.
Holding a slim 7-3 lead at halftime, the Steelers’ chances vanished on the first play of the third quarter. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, returning from a wrist injury, was instantly blindsided by Bills edge rusher Joey Bosa on an Arthur Smith play-action pass call. The strip-sack and fumble, scooped up and scored by Christian Benford, gave the Bills their first lead, setting off an unstoppable avalanche of horrendous gut-wrenching football.
Rodgers’ miserable day continued after he was briefly knocked out of the game with what looked like a broken nose, backup Mason Rudolph promptly threw an interception to set up another Bills touchdown, and Rodgers’ return did nothing to salvage the performance. He finished 10-for-21 for a paltry 121 yards. Rudolph was 0-1 with an interception.
The most frustrating aspect of the loss was the team’s complete physical domination on both lines of scrimmage. Facing the NFL’s 30th-ranked run defense, the Steelers’ running game was nonexistent, managed only 58 yards rushing total. Jaylen Warren led the team with just 35 yards. The offensive line was able to push the Bills but the play calling was so off kilter that the running game never was a factor. Kenny Gainwell had the lone highlight of the day, a brief spark with a one-handed 17-yard catch that set up the team’s only touchdown, he finished with 45 yards from scrimmage.
The play of the entire offense continues to be undermined by a lack of downfield threat and poor execution. Receivers are not getting open, DK Metcalf’s targets were consistently short, and the overall timing and chemistry remain “off.”
A stark example of the offense’s struggles was the complete disappearance of tight end Pat Freiermuth, who was one of the team’s top receivers last year but was shut out with zero catches and zero targets. What has happened to Calvin Austin, Scott Miller and Jonnu Smith, none have been effective. Is it the play calling or the execution or is it both? There is talent here on offense, but they can’t seem to get anything going.
Rodgers further fueled concerns by revealing post-game that one receiver or tight end missed an assignment due to skipping film study that week, pointing to a severe lack of accountability and focus that starts at the top. The fact that any player on a struggling 6-6 team feels “empowered” enough to skip meetings is a clear reflection of a team that has lost its way.
While the Steelers never found a rhythm on the ground. Conversely, the Bills steamrolled the Steelers’ defense for a staggering season-high 249 rushing yards. Bills running back James Cook set the tone with a 19-yard run on the game’s first play, and the Steelers failed to force Buffalo to change its game plan. The performance had eerie parallels to the playoff loss in Baltimore where the Ravens ran for 299 yards, highlighting a recurring and unaddressed physical shortcoming. Defensive tackle Cam Heyward spoke post-game about players being in the wrong gaps, pointing to a systemic issue.
The defense had a strong start, with Brandin Echols intercepting Allen on the first drive. The defensive backs, including Jalen Ramsey (9 tackles) and Joey Porter Jr. (8 tackles), tackled well and limited Allen to just 123 passing yards, but their strong first half was ultimately wasted by the offense’s collapse and the run defense’s frailty.
One week after the Texans demolished Josh Allen sacking him eight times, the Steelers’ elite pass rush, including T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, failed to sack him even once. They missed several opportunities and allowed him to extend plays and scramble for positive yards. Inside linebacker Payton Wilson led the team with 13 tackles, but there was little resistance on the second level against the Bills’ running backs. Patrick Queen left the game with an injury.
The special teams was a non-factor, although Corliss Waitman once again struggled with a lack luster performance.
The December woes continue for the Steelers. The month that Mike Tomlin and the Steelers once dominated has become a pitfall that has plagued them since 2019. With the possibility of another collapse looking probable, this could push the team to its first losing season under Mike Tomlin’s leadership and igniting a passionate call for change from the fanbase.
Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: NO ONE Seriously the game was that bad. Also Considered: Kenny Gainwell had a highlight reel catch, the lone highlight of the game.
Beer of the Game: Long Ireland Brewing Company; Winter Ale returned. It is a very hardy ale and it was solid. Bonus points because they were pounders. KGB went with Bud Light Lime.
“Steel the Snacks”: KGB delivered homemade Buffalo Chicken Tenders and even awesome snacks didn’t help out.
My stat of the week: The embarrassing and humiliating 249 yards rushing for the Bills, there is no formula to win when you can’t stop the run.
My thoughts on next week: This is the Steelers’ last stand. If they can’t beat a very beatable Ravens team the season is over, and it might be the unofficial end of the Mike Tomlin era. Ironically, if the Steelers beat the Ravens this might spell doom for John Harbaugh. This is the definition of a big game.
Jersey of the Week: As the last day of November, Franco Harris #32, Salute to Service.